Photo Credit: Suburban Survival Blog
Liz Klimas, TheBlaze — The little more than 26,000 citizens in an eastern Arkansas town could soon see city police patrolling the streets with assault rifles and asking them to show identification and answer questions as to why they’re out and about.The martial law recommended by the mayor and police chief of Paragould, in response to recent property-related and violent crimes, has begun seeing some backlash from those believing it infringes upon their civil rights.
According to the Paragould Daily Press, Mayor Mike Gaskill and Police Chief Todd Stovall said in a town hall meeting last week that the initiative to battle street crime would begin in 2013:
“[Police are] going to be in SWAT gear and have AR-15s around their neck,” Stovall said. “If you’re out walking, we’re going to stop you, ask why you’re out walking, check for your ID.”
Stovall said while some people may be offended by the actions of his department, they should not be.
“We’re going to do it to everybody,” he said. “Criminals don’t like being talked to.”
[...]
“They may not be doing anything but walking their dog,” he said. “But they’re going to have to prove it.”
The Daily Press reported Stovall saying that the crime statistics in the city were high enough to justify such action by law enforcement. It noted that an attorney was not consulted by the mayor or police chief before the street crimes unit plan was proposed.
The Daily Press though did contact the city’s attorney Allen Warmath who said the police will respond in the way proposed when they receive called-in complaints. The mayor said, backing off a little from the plan according to the Daily Press, that the city just wanted to make sure a law enforcement presence was felt in some areas. Warmath too told the Daily Press that the new unit would be less confrontational than was originally proposed. » Read More
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About the Author
Liz Klimas is the technology and science editor for The Blaze. Prior to joining the team in August 2011, she worked as a government contractor in Washington, D.C., where she maintains her residence. Graduating from Hillsdale College as a Bachelor of Science, Liz also has interned for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Association for Women in Science. When she's not writing for The Blaze about the latest tech gadgets, scientific advancements, someone skydiving with a helmet-cam strapped on, or bugs, she enjoys singing musicals while she bakes mini-pies.